Use inclusive language to affirm diversity
Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Developing an inclusive classroom and curriculum’
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Explore gender norms
Explore gender norms
Young people talk about the influences of gender norms and the binary division that occurs within school and society.
Closed Captions
Avoid gendered language
Avoid gendered language
Reflect on the language you use in the classrooom.
A person’s name and pronouns are an important part of their identity.
Using gendered language such as “girls and boys”, “ladies and gentlemen” can be alienating for gender non-conforming and gender diverse students.
Avoid this by using vocabulary such as “students”, “class”, “crew”, “everyone”, “people” or “year X”, which is more inclusive.
Embed inclusive language
Embed inclusive language
Even small gestures can feel enormous to an individual student.
Consider ways to increase the use of gender-diverse language in your classroom.
Consider presenting:
- a short story with same-sex parents in the family
- a maths problem where Dan and his boyfriend, Jai, order a pizza
- scenarios with gender-neutral language
- visuals and images that represent diverse genders and sexualities
- LGBTQIA+ role models, such as artists, writers, and historical figures in class topics.
Source: 10 ways educators can make schools safer for LGBT youth (opens in a new tab/window)
Use correct pronouns
Use correct pronouns
When you are working with young people, respect their right to “self-identify” – to choose the words they are most comfortable identifying with.
![10949 [Image-of-name-tag-including-pronouns.jpg]](https://inclusive-live-storagestack-assetstorages3bucket-3uty0hejzw6u.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/public/inclusive-education/example-images/Image-of-name-tag-including-pronouns__ScaleMaxWidthWzEwODZd.jpg)
Use students’ chosen names
Use students’ chosen names
“The day that my friends at school said “she” instead of “he” and I could be myself was the best day of my life.”
![10948 [Images-of-four-standard-name-tags.png]](https://inclusive-live-storagestack-assetstorages3bucket-3uty0hejzw6u.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/public/inclusive-education/example-images/Images-of-four-standard-name-tags__ScaleMaxWidthWzEwODZd.png)
Useful resources
Useful resources
Key terms and concepts in understanding gender diversity and sexual orientation among students
Read time: 11 min
This is a list of helpful definitions of terms related to gender and sexuality, developed by the American Psychological Association.
Publisher: American Psychological Association
Download PDF
A gender identity glossary for schools
A glossary of commonly-used terms to describe aspects of gender identity and expression.
Publisher: University of Southern California
Next steps
More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Develop an inclusive classroom and curriculum”:
Return to the guide “Supporting LGBTQIA+ students”
How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: LGBTQIA+ students
Understand:
Strategies for action:
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Build knowledge of sex, gender, and sexuality diversityShow suggestions for Build knowledge of sex, gender, and sexuality diversity
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Develop an inclusive classroom and curriculumShow suggestions for Develop an inclusive classroom and curriculum
